Luer activated device

• US 7,981,090 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Friend, Anthony D., Desecki, Vincent C., Jepson, Steven C., Plishka, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell; Theodore J
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAYMAN, IMANI N
• Application Number:
  US11/550,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20080172003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• Field of Search: 604246-256, 604/167, 606/195
• US Class Current: 604/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/262 having a fluid space within the valve remaining the same upon connection and disconnection, i.e. neutral-drawback valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/266 where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/045 pre-slit to be pierced by blunt instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A luer activated device for infusing and aspirating fluids to and from a variety of fluid systems. The luer activated device includes a housing and employs a variety of valves that permit and prevent the transfer of fluids through the housing into or out of various fluid systems.

Claims

1. A medical valve for the transfer of fluid, comprising:

a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow path defined therebetween; and

a valve configured to seal the inlet of said housing, said valve comprising a plurality of discrete particles, wherein the discrete particles include microspheres that are free to move in relation to one another within a chamber, and wherein said valve includes a resealable aperture configured to receive insertion of a male luer through the valve inlet.

2. The medical valve of claim 1 in which the microspheres are impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

3. The medical valve of claim 1 in which the particles have a size of about 0.0001 inches to about 0.0005 inches.

4. The medical valve of claim 1 in which the particles are comprised of glass beads, polymer beads or mixture of glass beads and polymer beads.

5. The medical valve of claim 1 in which the valve comprises an elastic outer wall defining an internal chamber containing the particles.

6. A medical valve for the transfer of fluid comprising:

a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow path defined therebetween; and

a valve including a normally closed position that seals the inlet of the housing, the valve having a valve inlet and comprising a plurality of discrete particles that move within a chamber to accommodate insertion of a flow member through a resealable aperture of the valve inlet, wherein;

(a) the discrete particles include microspheres, and

(b) the valve is in an open position when the flow member is inserted into the valve inlet via the resealable aperture thereby displacing the plurality of discrete particles, unsealing the valve inlet and allowing the transfer of fluid through the flow member to the flow path.

7. The medical valve of claim 6 in which the microspheres are impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

8. The medical valve of claim 6 in which the particles have a size of about 0.0001 inches to about 0.0005 inches.

9. The medical valve of claim 6 in which the particles are comprised of glass beads, polymer beads or mixture of glass beads and polymer beads.

10. The medical valve of claim 6 wherein the chamber includes an elastomeric wall containing the particles.

11. The medical valve of claim 10 wherein the elastomeric wall has a resiliency urging the contained particles to close the valve absent any applied force.

12. The medical valve of claim 11 wherein when the insertion force is applied to the flow member, the resiliency is overcome and the contained particles are displaced, placing the valve in the open position.

13. The medical valve of claim 11 wherein, upon withdrawal of the male luer from the valve inlet, the resiliency causes the elastomeric wall containing the particles to close the valve, thereby preventing the transfer of fluid through the flow path.

14. The medical valve of claim 11 in which the elastomeric wall is comprised of a silicon sheath.